November 11, 2016

Veterans Day 2016

Today is Veterans Day. A week ago I attended a small reunion of Vietnam veterans who served with Mike Platoon of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry (Black Lions) of the 1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One). There were just 10 of us plus our wives and the brother of a young man killed a week before Christmas in 1968 and the sister of a young man killed in July of 1969. Some of us brought photos and other memorabilia from Nam. We had a ceremony for twenty men from our platoon who didn't make it home.

For most of us, thoughts will shortly be turning to family gatherings at Thanksgiving. Most of us have a lot to be thankful for. A few days ago we turned back the clock as Daylight Savings Time ended. Some soldiers wish they could turn back the clock and be whole again, mentally and physically. Hopefully, we don't just think of them briefly on occasions like Memorial Day and Veterans Day. There will be parades and ceremonies and some restaurants will be offering free meals to veterans, as well as to those on active duty. These things are all good but by themselves don't solve the problems faced by our veterans.

Since 1973 when the military draft ended, the youth of America has not had to delay getting on with their future by spending two years in the military. The all volunteer military has met our war related challenges. Largely as a result of multiple tours of duty in combat areas during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, in addition to loss of limbs, etc. which require extensive physical rehab, we still have many veterans trying to cope with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

If you ask anyone if they support the troops, it's highly likely that 99% will say yes. If you were able to see how many gave more than lip service, the percentage would most likely be a lot lower. Granted there are many who are unable to contribute financially and then there are those who have volunteered their time to help disabled veterans. It's certainly possible that the thought of giving to an organization supporting disabled veterans just hasn't occurred to many of our citizens.

The DAV (Disabled American Veterans - www.dav.org) is one of the best organizations to which you can contribute.

It's not the only worthy organization. Before giving to any organization claiming to aid veterans (or any other charity), you should check them out on www.give.org (the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance) to make sure they're legitimate. To be accredited by the BBB (Better Business Bureau), a charity has to meet 20 standards for charity accountability. The DAV has met these standards. Don't assume that all well known charities meet the standards of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

Back in March of this year, the two top executives of the Wounded Warrior Project — among the largest veterans charities in the country — were fired after an investigation into accusations of lavish spending on parties, hotel and travel, according to a statement released on behalf of the embattled organization. More information is on-line. Hopefully, WWP will get their act together soon. Their current status with the BBB is described as "Under Review".

As of January 2017, the Wounded Warrior Project is back in the good graces of the BBB. They now meet standards.